It’s Been 4 Years!

It’s hard to believe that 4 years ago today, I started working at the Green Hills Animal Shelter. I’ll be the first to admit that I came into this gig kicking and screaming. You see, this place was not my first choice, but rather a desperate need to make money.

I was on the tail end (pardon the pun) of my home-based business. Clients were non-existent and I was married with a household to take care of. While I enjoyed the “free time”, I knew that I had to make a sacrifice, so I put out the feelers that I needed work to all my friends and acquaintances. A while later, a woman, whom I worked with at the library, clued me into a job that had just opened up at the shelter. Hey,..sounded good,..I mean, I love animals and it was just a temporary thing until things picked up, so I took it. After the interview, I started bright and early on a Thursday 4 years ago.

My first days and weeks were a nightmare.

The smell was awful and the work was extremely labor intensive. Frustrations, the chaos and the pay,..well, the pay was a cut from what I was used to, but I pressed on. The only bright spot I had was the time I spent with the critters. Every morning, the dogs would sing their praises in the form of barks, wagging tails and jumps, while the cats would meow a pleasant “good morning, glad you’re here” welcome.

I got through my weeks, then through the months, then through the years, and my desire to leave turned into a desire to stay.

I’ve never felt such joy as when I take care of my critters. When they see me, there is no mistaking their feelings. From the standpoint of my faith, the job has gotten me closer to Jesus because I see the lessons of the Gospel within the kennels. At the apex of joy, there is also sadness I feel when I see the condition the critters come in, the circumstances of their arrival and how the two-legged animals can be much worse than the four-legged ones. At the crossroads of joy and sadness, I am there with my critters and I couldn’t think of a better place to be.

Here’s to 4 years at the shelter and, God willing, many more to come.

AUTHOR

Robert Wimer

Robert Wimer is an Author and Singer. He has authored several books including his children's book "Super-ginormous-dog-a-mundo-saurus, a book that emphasises the importance of animal adoptions from local animal shelters. Robert has sung many principle solo roles in major choral works as well as many styles including Classical, Jazz, Christian, Pop, Rock and more. His latest album "In a Sentimental Mood" is an album of Standards that shows off his vocal talents and beautiful phrasing. Robert is a happy and proud husband and father.